Maoists join new Nepal government

After keeping everyone guessing for weeks, Nepal’s Maoist party formally decided to join the Jhalanath Khanal government on Thursday. Utpal Parashar reports.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2011, 01:32:43 IST

Hindustan Times | By Utpal Parashar, Kathmandu

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After keeping everyone guessing for weeks, Nepal’s Maoist party formally decided to join the Jhalanath Khanal government on Thursday.

The party’s standing committee agreed to head 11 ministries in the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist)— Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) coalition.

Politburo member Krishna Bahadur Mahara who heads the external affairs wing of UCPN (M) will head the Maoist ministers in the government.

Reports in local media say that he is likely to be made Deputy Prime Minister with additional charge of information and communication ministry.

Party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma told media persons after the standing committee meeting names of other 10 ministers and their corresponding portfolios will be decided later.

The home ministry, the main bone of contention for both parties, will remain with the Prime Minister for the time being.

Chairman of Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (Nepal) Upendra Yadav is expected to get the foreign affairs portfolio once his party formally announces its decision to join the government.

Despite assuming office on February 6, Khanal is functioning with a mini three-member cabinet comprising party colleagues due to differences within CPN (UML) and with Maoists over sharing of ministries.

Opposition to the secret deal, which he signed with Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to reach the PM post is another reason for delay in cabinet expansion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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